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2018 ASHS Annual Conference

Growth and Yield of Zucchini Fruit Under Hydroponic Culture Condition

Wednesday, August 1, 2018
International Ballroom East/Center (Washington Hilton)
Hinano Okumura, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan
Ryu Nakamura, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan
Masato Kawasaki, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan
Yuna Seki, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan
Kei Kusaba, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan
Nao Ando, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan
Takashi Ikeda, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan
Recently, yield of zucchini increases rapidly in Japan. The major production method is in out-field, however as the cultivation term is relatively short, alternative cultivation methods are needed. Soilless culture for zucchini was studies recently, but not hydroponic culture. We investigate the possibility of this technique for zucchini fruit production.

We grew zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Greenport 2 go) plants in a glass greenhouse from March to June on 2016 and 2017. Two of seedlings were grown in each container which contained 3 different concentration of hydroponic solution. At least 8 plants were grown for each treatment. We investigated the timing of cultivation, fruit size and fresh weight (yield).

Under 3 different conditions of hydroponic solution, the concentration at EC 1.2 had the highest yield, however, fruit yield tended to decrease at the end of cultivation due to the quality of flowers were decreased. These tendencies were observed on both experimental years. We further have to develop the technique to improve the quality and quantities of zucchini yields.